Stella Hertantyo

2 months ago | twyg.co.za | Stella Hertantyo

Much like unravelling a woolen jersey, it’s hard to say where creativity begins and ends. For Stephanie Bentum, the textile designer and maker behind some of South Africa’s most revered sustainable fashion collections, the origins of her creative practice can be unravelled by looking at three distinct threads – a pair of felt slippers, a deep respect for nature, and a specific love for classic Greek dance. Stephanie’s studio is in Somerset West, Cape Town.

2 months ago | twyg.co.za | Stella Hertantyo

Fast fashion teaches that creativity requires abundance. You have to have more to do more—more clothing, more trends, more newness. Refreshingly, South African slow fashion designer, Katlego Mokwana, began her brand to remind us that this is simply not true. “Creativity can thrive, even within boundaries,” she says. Based in the Vaal Triangle, Katlego’s brand, Mother of Gao, prides itself on creating capsule collections. The brand focuses on designing a few versatile pieces, made well.

Aug 5, 2024 | twyg.co.za | Stella Hertantyo

In 1989, five women sat around a kitchen table embroidering cloth on a rural Limpopo citrus farm. Over three decades later, impact-driven business Kaross employs 1,000 embroiderers who work from home and create uniquely South African embroidered products while mending historic economic divides. “The impetus of Kaross has always been job creation. That is the reason it was started and this remains our focus in everything we do.

Jun 13, 2024 | twyg.co.za | Stella Hertantyo

Iming Lin is the farmer and co-founder of Meuse Farm — a small but mighty farm in Cape Town’s lush, urban foothills. Since 2020, Iming has been nurturing a natural dye garden on the farm where she experiments with plant knowledge that offers a lens into new conscious fashion practices. Iming Lin is the farmer and co-founder of Meuse Farm in Hout Bay. Credit: Bruce TuckNaturally dye clothing has been around for thousands of years.

May 8, 2024 | twyg.co.za | Stella Hertantyo

What happens when rivers are so full of clothing that they can no longer support fish? Or are too polluted for plants to grow on their banks? Textile waste is an increasing threat to biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life that maintains the stability and resilience of our ecosystems. It’s the foundation of our living world.